Confused and worried

[tmlp67]

Been dating a girl for 3 months and we have been sexually active but use protection. I've never had a cold sore in my life and tested negative for both HSV-1 and HSV-2 years ago. On the 17th I got a zit on the middle of my chin that became infected from picking at it and moved it's way further up my chin. Trying to let it heal on it's own but it got worse and continued to get larger and spread and ooze (kinda looks like I scraped my chin), I also developed swollen nodes in neck and a mild sore throat for about 3-4days. I went to the doctor on the 28th he said it looked like I had an infection probably staph and prescribed antibiotics which seem to be helping. On the 27th I did seem to get 3small bumps on the edge of the affected area but at the base of my lips that never really oozed but did show up and scab over that day. Well 7days after this whole thing on my chin started my partner and I had protected vaginal and she gave me oral sex on the 24th and we did kiss. The same day I told my partner about going to the doctor and what he said she mentioned that the day after we last had sex, the 25th, she noticed something acting up on the base of her chin. She went to the doctor that day and he said it looked like 'Fever Blisters' probably from sun exposure, irritation, or staph or strep (which she was exposed to) and prescribed her an antibiotic and a topical solution.

Today after masturbating I noticed that my genital area seemed to be dry and while looking at the underside of my shaft I noticed 3 irritated spots of skin that were a little 'Red' and had thick dry skin flaking from them but not a scab/open sore like you get with a normal cut. I never had any abnormal intense pain or irritation/discomfort and my lymph nodes in my groin are not swollen. Is it possible any of this could be a herpes outbreak, and that got spread to my genitals? There doesn't seem to be any ulcers or blisters so should I have it looked at and consider any type of testing right now?

[Terri Warren, RN, Adult Nurse Practitioner]

You would be seeking an HSV  type specific antibody test for HSV 1 and 2, Igg only.

[Terri Warren, RN, Adult Nurse Practitioner]

If you do test, you want a type specific IgG antibody test, no IgM testing should ever be done.

terri

[tmlp67]

I do not know if she has been tested for HSV 1 or not to be honest, however she didn't seem overly concerned. I'm kind of a worrier about these things and I always try to be careful so now I just feel stupid for being lax this time.

I'll talk to her more about, in the meantime what types of testing should I be looking at getting done?

Thanks

[Terri Warren, RN, Adult Nurse Practitioner]

Yes, this could be herpes, particularly the ones on your face.  The ones in the genital area are a little tougher to sort out without swab testing, but if you say there is not ulcers or blisters, then I am more inclined to think not herpes, but sure can't say for certain.  if they change or you get them again, I would strongly suggest that you get them swab tested for herpes.  

Fever blisters are caused by herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV 1) the vast majority of the time (very rarely by HSV 2).  I'm not at all clear why her doctor would have prescribed an antibiotic for these, they are not bacterial.  I'm also not clear about the use of a topical medicine - most all of us oral antivirals now to treat HSV 1 outbreaks.

It is certainly possible that you have acquired HSV 1 orally from kissing someone who has it orally.  That is the most likely explanation.  Has your girlfriend been tested for HSV 1 infection, do you know?

Your description sounds very suspicious for oral herpes, and since you went to see your doctor so late in the course of things, it wouldn't be possible for him/her to know either.  A rash that looks similar to herpes is impetigo, so sometimes they get confused.  

In about 3 months, you could get retesed for HSV 1 and 2, and you should certainly get any further oral lesions swab tested for herpes in the meantime, should they return.

Terri